Modular display unit

ABSTRACT

A modular display unit that may be assembled without tools and without attachment hardware includes two or more shelves having spaced-apart elongate apertures, and two or more pairs of upright members. Each of the pairs of upright members extend through two or more of the elongate apertures. The upright members may include notches or other features that are configured to engage the associated shelf. One or more wedges extend through the elongate apertures between each of the pairs of upright members, and urge the upright members against the shelf. Optionally, one or more dowels slidably engage apertures in the shelves to provide a back support for display items. The shelves may optionally include a longitudinal groove along an upper surface to support display items such as compact and/or digital video disk cases.

BACKGROUND

Display units, including, for example, bookshelves, picture display cases, display units for digital media disks, knick-knacks, and the like, are considered an essential furnishing in many homes. The modular display units are typically an aesthetic fixture in the home.

Often it is desirable to have a display unit that covers a significant portion of a wall, for example. However, a user may desire to change the location or configuration of a display unit, for example, when remodeling or repositioning furnishings in a room, to accommodate new items, or simply to change the aesthetics in a room.

It can be difficult, however to find a display unit that is suitably sized and shaped for a particular room or location in a room. It can also be difficult or impossible to move a particular large display unit into a particular room.

Of course, many self-assembleable display units are available, wherein a user can bring a disassembled unit to the desired location and assemble it in place. Typically, such self-assembleable display units are put together with attachment hardware such as screws, nails, glues, brackets, and the like, and are intended to be assembled in a single, specific configuration. Particular tools may be required to assembly the unit, and the process may be difficult and time consuming. Such display units may be difficult or virtually impossible to disassemble and reassemble, for example, if it is desired to relocate it to a different room or building.

Moreover, many users may not like the aesthetic appearance of a display unit that is held together with conventional hardware.

There is a need for a modular display unit that may be assembled without tools, that does not require attachment hardware. It would further be advantageous to have a modular display unit that may be assembled in different configurations.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A modular display unit, such as a book shelf or the like, that may be assembled without tools, and may, for example, comprise a single material type such as wood, is disclosed and includes a plurality of upright supports that engage a plurality of shelves through apertures formed in the shelves. Wedges, or other biasing members, are inserted into the shelf apertures to bias the associated upright support against associated shelf. In an exemplary embodiment, the entire unit comprises wood, and may be assembled, disassembled, and reassembled, perhaps in a large number of different configurations, without the use of any tools.

In a particular embodiment, the plurality of upright supports are configured as a pair of spaced-apart, upright members, and the wedges are disposed in the corresponding apertures between the pair of upright members.

In a particular embodiment, the plurality of upright supports each define a wedge-shaped protrusion that is positioned to extend into one of the plurality of shelf apertures when the modular display unit is assembled, and the wedges slidably engage the wedge-shaped protrusion.

In another particular embodiment, the wedges comprise pairs of wedges, and the plurality of pairs of wedges cooperatively bias the associated upright support against the plurality of shelves.

In a particular embodiment, the upright supports have notches, for example, rectangular or rounded notches, that are configured to engage one of the plurality of shelves when the modular display unit is assembled.

In particular embodiments, the plurality of upright supports are of differing lengths, and/or the shelves have differing lengths.

In a particular embodiment, the shelves further comprise a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of dowels are provided that frictionally engage the shelf apertures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular display shelf in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the individual components of the modular display shelf shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display shelf shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail side view illustrating installation of the single taper wedges for the modular display shelf shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular display shelf in accordance with the present invention, and using a double taper wedge;

FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate some individual components of the display shelf shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A and 7B illustrate two more complex modular display shelves assembled with the components shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and/or the components shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 8A-8F illustrate various exemplary alternative upright members for a modular display shelf in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular display shelf in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of a modular display unit 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. This modular display unit 100 is configured to be assembled and disassembled without requiring any attachment hardware or tools. It will be appreciated that the modularity of the design permits configuring display units in an unlimited number of ways, using the desired combination of components. In FIG. 1, the modular display unit 100 includes a pair of horizontal shelves 13, 13′, four upright members 11 that extend through corresponding rectangular apertures 17 (see FIG. 2A) in the shelves 13, 13′, and four pairs of single taper wedges 23. Optional upright dowels or rods 25 that frictionally engage shelves 13, 13′ may also be included. One or both of the shelves 13, 13′ may further include one or more longitudinal grooves 21.

Refer now also to FIGS. 2A-2D, showing individual components from the modular display unit 100. FIG. 2A shows the shelf 13, which is configured with a pair of spaced apertures 17 that are sized to receive the upright members 11. One or more circular apertures 19 (two shown) are also formed in the shelf 13, and are sized to engage the dowel 25. It will be appreciated that the upper shelf 13′ shown in FIG. 1 is similarly constructed to have corresponding rectangular apertures 17 and circular apertures 19 that alight with the apertures in the lower shelf 13. The longitudinal groove(s) 21 provide a convenient prop or recess in a top surface 31 of the shelf 13 to facilitate displaying items. For example, the longitudinal grooves 21 may be sized to receive a conventional case for a compact disc or digital video disc (not shown), such that the front of the case is visibly displayed. In one embodiment, the longitudinal groove(s) 21 are V-shaped, such that a received case may be supported at an angle.

An upright member 11 is shown in FIG. 2B. In this embodiment the upright member 11 is sized such that two upright members 11 inserted into the shelf rectangular aperture 17 may be spaced apart sufficiently to permit installing a pair of single taper wedges 23 therebetween. Each upright member 11 includes a pair of rectangular notches 15 that are sized and shaped to slidably engage the shelves 13, 13′ when the modular display unit 100 is assembled. For example, the upright member 11 is inserted into the rectangular slot 17 with the notches 15 facing outwardly, and when the notch 15 is correctly aligned, the upright member 11 is shifted such that the notch 15 engages the shelf 13. In the currently preferred embodiment, the thickness of the upright member 11 is slightly smaller than the width of the rectangular aperture 17, and the width of the notch 15 is slightly wider than the thickness of the shelf 13.

A dowel 25 is shown in isolation in FIG. 2D. The dowel 25 is sized to fit relatively tightly in the circular apertures 19 of the shelves 13, 13′ such that the dowel 25 is frictionally retained therein. The dowels 25, which may be provided in any desired number, provide aesthetic appeal and help to retain items on the display unit 100. It will be appreciated that the modular display unit 100 is very portable. The dowels 25 enable the modular display unit 100 to also be used to carry items such as books or other display items, for example, when moving the modular display unit 100 to another location. For example, the modular display unit 100 may be placed on its back side, and the desired display items (not shown) may be rested on the dowels 25. The user may then lift the display unit 100 to carry the display unit and display items to the new location.

FIG. 2C shows a single taper wedge 23 in isolation. The single taper wedge 23 includes a first end 37 that is relatively wide and a second end 39 that is relatively narrow. A vertical side 41 of the single taper wedge 23 is generally perpendicular to the first and second ends 37, 39, such that the opposite angled side 43 is angled relative to the vertical side 41.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the modular display unit 100, illustrating the simple and straightforward assembly. An exemplary method for assembly of the modular display unit 100 will now be described. It will be apparent that the particular order of the assembly steps may be varied, or otherwise modified in ways that will be readily apparent to persons of skill in the art.

A first pair of upright members 11 are inserted into the rectangular aperture 17 of the lower shelf 13, with the notches 15 oriented outwardly. The upright members 11 are positioned such that the lower notches 15 are aligned with the lower shelf 13, and are then pushed outwardly so that the notches 15 slidably engage the lower shelf 13. One or more additional shelves, in this case the upper shelf 13′, may then be similarly positioned to engage the upright members 11 in spaced relation to the lower shelf 13. A first single tapered wedge 23 is inserted into the rectangular aperture 17, positioned between the upright members 11 with the relatively wide first end 37 oriented downwardly. A second single tapered wedge 23 is slidably inserted into the same elongate aperture 17, such that the angled side 43 of the first single taper wedge 23 slidably engages the angled side 43 of the second single taper wedge 23, as illustrated in the detail assembly view of FIG. 4. Before the first and second wedges 23 are fully secured, a second pair of single taper wedges 23 are positioned in like manner between the upright members 11 in the corresponding rectangular aperture 17 in the second shelf 13′. For each of the pairs of wedges 23, urging the two single taper wedges 23 in opposite directions, as indicate by the arrows in FIG. 4, will urge the upright members 11 apart, such that the notches 15 securely engage the corresponding shelves 13.

It will be appreciated that if more than two shelves 13 or 13′ are to be provided with appropriately configured upright members, the tapered wedges 23 may not be required at each shelf position. The pairs of tapered wedges may be provided between upright members 11 at any two vertical locations wherein the rigidity of the upright members 11 is sufficient to ensure all of the shelves will suitably engage the upright members 11.

Similarly, a second pair of upright members 11 may then be positioned in the other rectangular aperture 17 of the shelves 13, 13′ and additional pairs of single taper wedges 23 inserted between the upright members 11 to secure the second pair of upright members 11 to the lower shelf 13. If the optional dowels 25 are desired, one or more dowels 25 are inserted into the circular apertures 19 in the shelf 13 and positioned to slidably engage the circular apertures 19 in the lower and upper shelves 13, 13′ at any convenient time during the assembly. In practice, it may be preferable to assemble the module display unit 100 with the single taper wedges 23 loosely installed, such that the unit 100 retains some flexibility, and when all of the components are in position, then securely engage the wedges 23 to urge the upright members 11 outwardly with some force, such that the assembled unit 100 becomes very stable and relatively rigid.

It will now be appreciated that with very few components, and without any tools or attachment hardware, the modular display unit 100 can be easily assembled to erect the very stable unit shown in FIG. 1.

The components of the modular display unit 100 may be formed from any suitable material, either natural or man made. In a current embodiment the components are formed from wood, providing an attractive, all-wood display unit with no fittings, glue, nail, screws or other hardware required.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a modular display unit 110 in accordance with the present invention. The second embodiment shares many of the features of the modular display unit 100 described above and shown in FIG. 1, and such common details will not be repeated, for brevity.

In the modular display unit 110, upright members 53 include an integral angled portion, and one double taper wedge 53 is provided between the upright members 51 (in each of the rectangular slots 17 in the shelves 13′). Refer now also to FIG. 6A, which shows an upright member 51 in isolation, and FIG. 6B, which shows a double taper wedge 53 in isolation. The upright member 51 includes spaced notches 55 along one long edge that are sized and shaped to engage the shelves 13′, as described above. In this embodiment, the upright member 51 also includes a wedge-shaped protrusion 52 located generally opposite each of the notches 55.

The double taper wedge 53 is generally trapezoidal in shape with opposite long sides 56 tapering inwardly from a wide end 57 towards a narrow end 58. Of course, the double taper wedge may be shaped differently, for example, in a triangular or diamond shape, with curved end edges, or the like. The shape of the double taper wedge 53 is designed to be complementary to the wedge-shaped protrusions 52 of the upright members 51.

Referring now again to FIG. 5, during assembly one of the double taper wedges 53 is inserted between the wedge-shaped protrusions 52 of the upright members 51 at each of the locations shown. It will be appreciated that this second embodiment has the advantage of requiring fewer total pieces and is therefore easier to assembly. Also, when assembled as shown in FIG. 5, the double taper wedges 53 cannot be disengaged from the assembled unit by a downward force.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a modular display unit 120 in accordance with the present invention. This third embodiment shares many of the features of the modular display unit 110 described above and shown in FIG. 5, and such common details will not be repeated, for brevity.

The modular display unit 120 includes upright members 51 that may be generally the same as the corresponding upright members 51 shown in FIG. 5, wherein the width of the upright members 51 is only slightly less than the width of the rectangular apertures 17 in the shelves 13′ (for example, the upright members 51 may be dimensioned wider, the rectangular apertures 17 may be shorter, etc.).

In this embodiment, a single upright member 51 extends through each rectangular aperture 17 in the shelves 13′. The upright members 51 are formed with wedge-shaped protrusions 52 as described above and shown in FIG. 6A. A single taper wedge 23 is used to lock the upright members 11 with the shelves 13′, as discussed above.

The modular display units 100, 110, 120 shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 9 respectively are relatively simple, and comprise components wherein each of the different component types is identically sized (i.e., the upright members 11 are identical, the shelves 13, 13′ are of the same overall shape, etc.). However, it will be readily appreciated, and it is contemplated by the present invention, that a modular display unit in accordance with the present invention may include similar components having different sizes, allowing the user to assemble (and optionally reassemble) the modular display unit in a unlimited number of different configurations. For example, the shelves 13, 13′ may be formed in different lengths and/or with a different number of rectangular slots 17. Similarly, the upright members 11, 51 may be formed in different lengths and with a different number of notches 15, 55.

FIG. 7A illustrates a front view of a modular display unit 120 in accordance with the present invention, which includes a short shelf 13A, four intermediate-length shelves 13B, and a long shelf 13C. The shelves 13A, 13B, and 13C engage two pairs of short upright members 11A (only front member visible for all upright members), a first pair of intermediate-length upright members 11B, a second pair of intermediate-length upright members 11C, and a pair of long upright members 11D. In this embodiment, the intermediate length shelves 13B have three spaced rectangular apertures (not visible), and the long shelf 13C has four rectangular apertures. The long upright members 11D, for example, will have six notches for engaging the shelves. Of course, not visible in the front view of FIG. 7A are the wedge members (23 or 53) that are disposed between corresponding upright members, as described above.

In this embodiment, the modular display unit 120 may be provided with additional support, for example, by attachment to a wall, placement in a corner to abut a wall (e.g., to the right in FIG. 7A), or the like. It will be appreciated that the wedge members (e.g., 23 or 53) produce a very secure assembly wherein the shelves and upright members tightly engage.

A front view of another assembled modular display unit 130 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 7B, and comprises four long shelves 13D and four short shelves 13D, with four pairs of long upright members 11D, and two pairs of short upright members 11A. It will be appreciated by comparing FIG. 7A with 7B, which use some of the same components, that with a relatively small number of different sized components a huge variety of modular display units may be constructed.

The upright members described above have generally rectangular notches that are sized to slidably receive a corresponding shelf. However, it will be appreciated by persons of skill in the art that the wedge members produce an outward force on the upright members, such that the upright members may be firmly biased against the corresponding shelf. The magnitude of the biasing force is controllable by the user when assembling the unit. Therefore, it is not necessary that the notches be rectangular, or that they closely conform to the shape of the shelf.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate alternative upright members that may be used in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 8A an upright member 111A defines notches 115A that are generally arcuate, with a relatively flat center portion. For example, the flat center portion of the notch 115A may have a vertical dimension that closely approximates the width of the shelf 13, to precisely locate the shelf 13.

In FIG. 8B the upright member 111B comprises notches that each define a lip 115B that the shelf 13 may abut against in the assembled display unit. The edges of the upright member 111B above the lips 115B may be angled such that the upper and lower lips 115B are vertically aligned.

In FIG. 8C the upright member 111C comprises a more than two semicircular notches 115C. The semicircular notches 115C are relatively easy to fabricate, and may be aesthetically more pleasing. The greater number of notches 115C may be provided in any of the embodiments, and provides the user with more options for placement of the shelves 13 and/or the option to use more than two shelves 13.

FIG. 8D illustrates an upright member 111D similar to 111C, but with much shallower notches 115D. Because the upright members 111D are biased against the shelves 13 with the single taper wedges 23, the notches do not require great depth. The idea here is to provide a surface that engages the shelves that will improve the frictional grip between the upright member 115D and the shelf apertures 17 (relative to an upright member having a smooth edge, e.g., FIG. 8F).

FIG. 8E illustrates an upright member 111E wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on the outer edge of the upright member 111E. FIG. 6F illustrates an upright member 111F without notches in the upright member 111F. In this embodiment the shelves 13 may be prevented from moving vertically after assembly by frictional forces between the upright member 111F and the shelves 13.

It will be appreciated that any of the upright members shown in FIGS. 8A-8F may alternatively be formed with angled protrusions similar to that shown in FIG. 6A, for use with the double taper wedge 53.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A modular display unit comprising: a plurality of upright supports; a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a plurality of apertures, each aperture having an associated one of the plurality of upright supports disposed therethrough, and each aperture having a first end a second end; a plurality of wedges, each wedge disposed in one of the plurality of shelf apertures and associated with one of the upright supports, wherein each wedge is operable to bias the associated upright support against the plurality of shelves.
 2. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of upright supports comprises a pair of spaced-apart, upright members.
 3. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of upright supports each define a wedge-shaped protrusion that is positioned to extend into one of the plurality of shelf apertures when the modular display unit is assembled.
 4. The modular display unit of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of wedges, each of the second plurality of wedges being paired with one of the first plurality of wedges, and wherein the plurality of pairs of wedges cooperatively bias the associated upright support against the plurality of shelves.
 6. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of upright supports have notches that are configured to engage one of the plurality of shelves when the modular display unit is assembled.
 7. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of shelves further comprises a longitudinal groove extending across the length of a top surface of the at least one shelf.
 8. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wedges each comprise a pair of single taper wedges.
 9. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wedges are shaped as a trapezoid having a constant thickness.
 10. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pairs of upright supports comprise a first pair of upright members that are of a different length than a second pair of upright members.
 11. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the modular display unit is configured to be assembled without tools and without attachment hardware.
 12. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the entire modular display unit is wood.
 13. The modular display unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shelves further comprise circular apertures, and further comprising a plurality of dowels that frictionally engage at least one of the circular apertures in at least two of the plurality of shelves.
 14. A modular display unit comprising: a plurality of shelves, each shelf having at least two elongate apertures; a plurality of upright supports, wherein each upright support extends through the elongate apertures in at least two of the plurality of shelves, and further wherein each of the plurality of upright supports includes a plurality of shelf-engagement means on at least one edge; and means for biasing the upright supports against the at least two of the plurality of shelves.
 15. The modular display unit of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of upright supports comprises a pair of spaced-apart, upright members.
 16. The modular display unit of claim 14, wherein the plurality of upright supports each define a wedge-shaped protrusion that is positioned to extend into one of the plurality of shelf apertures when the modular display unit is assembled.
 17. The modular display unit of claim 15, wherein the means for biasing the upright supports comprises a plurality of wedges disposed between each of the pairs of upright members.
 18. The modular display unit of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of wedges is positioned in one of the plurality of elongate apertures in the assembled modular display unit.
 19. The modular display unit of claim 14, wherein the shelf-engagement means comprises shaped notches in the upright members.
 20. The modular display unit of claim 14, wherein the modular display unit is configured to be assembled without tools and without attachment hardware, and further wherein the entire modular display unit is wood. 